Shoes

ABSTRACT

A shoe upper body of a shoe has a stretchable portion made of a stretchable material. The stretchable portion forms a region of the shoe upper body including a portion corresponding to the center of each of the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of a foot of a wearer of the shoe and including a position of an ankle opening. The stretchable portion is configured so as to be deformed from a non-stretched state to a stretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to PCT Application No.PCT/JP2019/038264, filed on 27 Sep. 2019, which claims priority toJapanese Patent Application No. 2018-183686, filed on 28 Sep. 2018, theentire disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shoe.

BACKGROUND ART

Shoes such as those disclosed in, e.g., Patent Document 1 have beensuggested as shoes for assisting motions, such as walking and running,of a person who wears the shoes (hereinafter referred to as a “wearer”).

Patent Document 1 discloses a shoe including a sole, a shoe upper bodyhaving an ankle opening, and an upper layer member made of an elasticmaterial provided on an outer surface of the shoe upper body near theankle opening. The upper layer member has an elastic zone disposed on arear portion of the shoe upper body, and a rotation zone disposed on aportion of the shoe upper body closer to the front end thereof than theelastic zone is. The elastic zone and the rotation zone are positionedon the shoe upper body to correspond to an ankle portion of a wearer'sfoot. The elastic zone extends along a (top-to-bottom) direction inwhich the Achilles tendon of the wearer's foot extends. The rotationzone corresponds, in position, to the talocrural joint of the wearer'sfoot.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0319215

SUMMARY Technical Problem

In general, in a daily walking motion and a running motion duringsports, an ankle joint around the talocrural joint of the wearer's foot(hereinafter simply referred to as the “ankle joint”) is first moved tobring the instep of the foot and the corresponding shin closer to eachother and stretch the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius muscle indirections away from each other (so-called dorsiflexion). Then, theankle joint is moved to rotate an ankle portion of the wearer's foottoward the wearer's planta, so that the instep of the foot and thecorresponding shin move away from each other, and that the Achillestendon and gastrocnemius muscle are closer to each other (so-calledplantar flexion). The plantar flexion is an important motion, inparticular, to achieve a sufficiently high moving speed during running.

To satisfy the need, the elastic zone of the shoe of Patent Document 1is configured to turn in the top-to-bottom direction around the rotationzone serving as a virtual axis extending in the foot width direction,and to stretch and recover in the top-to-bottom direction. Such aconfiguration allows the elastic zone to stretch in the top-to-bottomdirection in response to the dorsiflexion, for example, during walkingor running. This stretch causes strain energy to be accumulated in theelastic zone. The plantar flexion following the dorsiflexion releasesthe strain energy accumulated in the elastic zone. Then, the elasticzone recovers to a non-stretched state. As can be seen, the shoedisclosed in Patent Document 1 has the function of assisting, inparticular, plantar flexion. This facilitates walking and runningmotions, and can provide a sufficiently high moving speed duringrunning.

However, the elastic and rotation zones of the shoe of Patent Document 1are not configured to be appropriately positioned relative to thewearer's foot. For this reason, the elastic and rotation zones may beeach misaligned with positions corresponding to respective portions ofthe wearer's foot around the ankle joint of the wearer. In particular,if the position of the rotation zone does not match the position of thewearer's ankle joint, the elastic zone is difficult to stretch andrecover at an appropriate position. As a result, the shoe of PatentDocument 1 may be unable to appropriately assist dorsiflexion andplantar flexion.

In general, the ankle joint of a foot of the human body can undergomotions other than dorsiflexion and plantar flexion (e.g., abduction,adduction, inversion, eversion, supination, pronation, and othermotions) as well. However, while having been configured to assistdorsiflexion and plantar flexion, the shoe of Patent Document 1 has notbeen configured to appropriately assist the above-described motionsother than dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. In other words, the shoe ofPatent Document 1 has been unable to appropriately assist the motionsother than dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

In view of the foregoing background, it is a main object of the presentinvention to appropriately assist various motions of a wearer's anklejoint.

Solution to the Problem

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the presentinvention relates to a shoe including: a sole; and a shoe upper. Theshoe upper includes a shoe upper body. The shoe upper body includes: anankle opening through which a foot of a wearer of the shoe is insertedinto the shoe; and a stretchable portion made of a stretchable material.In a side view, the ankle opening is positioned above a portioncorresponding to a phantom line connecting an upper portion of acalcaneus of the foot of the wearer and upper portions of a medialmalleolus and a lateral malleolus of a tibia and a fibula together. Thestretchable portion forms a region of the shoe upper body including aportion corresponding to a center of each of the medial malleolus andthe lateral malleolus of the foot of the wearer and including a positionof the ankle opening. The stretchable portion is configured so as to bedeformed from a non-stretched state to a stretched state and elasticallyrecover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

As in the first aspect, the stretchable portion forms the region of theshoe upper body including the portion corresponding to the center ofeach of the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of the wearer'sfoot and including the position of the ankle opening. In other words,the stretchable portion is arranged at a position corresponding to thewearer's ankle joint. Thus, the stretchable portion can stretch andrecover in response to various motions of the wearer's ankle joint(e.g., dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, abduction, adduction, inversion,eversion, supination, pronation, and other motions).

The stretchable portion is configured so as to be deformed from anon-stretched state to a stretched state and elastically recover fromthe stretched state to the non-stretched state. Specifically, if thewearer's ankle joint moves in a predetermined direction, the stretchableportion is deformed to stretch in the predetermined direction. In otherwords, the stretchable portion is deformed from the non-stretched stateto the stretched state. At this moment, strain energy is accumulated inthe stretchable portion due to the stretch. Next, when the wearer'sankle joint that has moved in the predetermined direction moves in adirection opposite to the predetermined direction, the strain energyaccumulated in the stretchable portion is released. This movementgenerates an elastic restoring force toward the opposite direction inthe stretchable portion. In other words, the stretchable portionelastically recovers from the stretched state to the non-stretchedstate. Such a configuration makes it easy for a foot of the wearer, inparticular, for a foot of the wearer below the ankle joint, to return tothe original state. As can be seen, according to the first aspect,various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can be appropriatelyassisted. In addition, the various motions of the wearer's ankle jointcan be controlled and adapted particularly to motions required forvarious athletic sports. Thus, according to the first aspect, variousmotions of the wearer's ankle joint can be appropriately assisted.

A second aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of the firstaspect. In the second aspect, the ankle opening is positioned near anupper side of the portion corresponding to the phantom line in the sideview.

In the second aspect, the ankle opening is positioned near the upperside of the portion corresponding to the phantom line in the side view.As can be seen, even if the stretchable portion occupies a minimum areaas in this aspect, the stretchable portion can be arranged at a portionof the shoe upper body corresponding to each of the medial malleolus andthe lateral malleolus of the wearer's foot. As a result, according tothe second aspect, various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can beappropriately assisted just like the first aspect. The second aspectallows the shoe to be lighter, and can provide a higher degree ofcomfort.

A third aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of the secondaspect. In the third aspect, the stretchable portion continuouslyextends from a portion corresponding to the medial malleolus of the footof the wearer through a portion corresponding to a rear side of a heelof the foot to a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus of thefoot.

In the third aspect, the stretchable portion continuously extends from aportion corresponding to the medial malleolus of the foot of the wearerthrough a portion corresponding to a rear side of a heel of the foot toa portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus of the foot. In otherwords, the stretchable portion is configured to cover a regioncorresponding to the wearer's ankle joint from the sides and behind.Such a configuration can appropriately assist various motions of thewearer's ankle joint.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of any one ofthe first to third aspects. In the fourth aspect, the shoe upper furtherincludes a reinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer orinner surface of the stretchable portion.

In the fourth aspect, the reinforcement portion provided on the innersurface of the stretchable portion can assist motions of the ankle jointof the wearer's foot (in particular, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion)together with the stretchable portion.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of the firstaspect. In the fifth aspect, the shoe upper further includes an anchorportion arranged at a position corresponding to a portion of the foot ofthe wearer including an ankle portion above the medial malleolus and thelateral malleolus. The shoe upper body is configured to cover an areafrom a toe portion of the foot of the wearer to the ankle portion. Theshoe upper body includes: a first portion corresponding, in position, tothe ankle portion of the foot of the wearer; a second portioncorresponding, in position, to a talocrural joint of the foot of thewearer; and a third portion corresponding, in position, to a transversetarsal joint of the foot of the wearer. The anchor portion is configuredto align the first portion of the shoe upper body with the ankle portionof the wearer. The stretchable portion is arranged at a position of theshoe upper body, the position including a region corresponding to thecalcaneus and a talus of the foot of the wearer and including a regioncorresponding to an ankle joint and extending from the first portionthrough the second portion to the third portion. In a state in which theanchor portion aligns the first portion of the shoe upper body with theankle portion of the wearer, the stretchable portion is deformed fromthe non-stretched state to the stretched state and elastically recoversfrom the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

In this fifth aspect, the stretchable portion is made of the stretchablematerial, and is arranged at a position including the region of the shoeupper body corresponding to the ankle joint. In other words, thestretchable portion is configured to cover the entire ankle joint of thewearer. According to such a configuration, the stretchable portionstretches and recovers in response to various motions of the wearer'sankle joint (i.e., dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, abduction, adduction,inversion, eversion, supination, pronation, and other motions).

The anchor portion is configured to align the first portion of the shoeupper body with the wearer's ankle portion. With such a configuration,in particular, the stretchable portion arranged at a position of theshoe upper body including a region corresponding to the ankle joint canbe appropriately fitted to respective portions of the wearer's footaround the wearer's ankle joint. In other words, the anchor portionallows the stretchable portion to be stably arranged at the positions ofthe respective portions of the wearer's foot around the wearer's anklejoint.

In a state in which the anchor portion aligns the first portion of theshoe upper body with the wearer's ankle portion, the stretchable portionis configured to be deformed from the non-stretched state to thestretched state and elastically recover from the stretched state to thenon-stretched state. Specifically, if the wearer's ankle joint moves ina predetermined direction, the stretchable portion is deformed tostretch in the predetermined direction. In other words, the stretchableportion is deformed from the non-stretched state to the stretched state.At this moment, strain energy is accumulated in the stretchable portiondue to the stretch. Next, when the wearer's ankle joint that has movedin the predetermined direction moves in a direction opposite to thepredetermined direction, the strain energy accumulated in thestretchable portion is released. This causes the stretchable portion toproduce an elastic restoring force from the position of the anchorportion (the first portion) in the opposite direction. In other words,the stretchable portion elastically recovers from the stretched state tothe non-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy for a footof the wearer, in particular, for a foot of the wearer below the anklejoint, to return to the original state. As can be seen, according to thefifth aspect, various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can beappropriately assisted. In addition, the various motions of the wearer'sankle joint can be controlled and adapted particularly to motionsrequired for various athletic sports.

Thus, according to the fifth aspect, various motions of the wearer'sankle joint can be appropriately assisted.

A sixth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the fifth aspect. Inthe sixth aspect, the shoe upper further includes a first reinforcementportion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of thestretchable portion and made of a stretchable material. The firstreinforcement portion is arranged at a position of the shoe upper body,the position being located below the first portion and corresponding toa region behind the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus of thefoot of the wearer.

In the sixth aspect, the first reinforcement portion can assist, inparticular, motions of the Achilles tendon located behind the medialmalleolus and the lateral malleolus of the wearer's foot (i.e.,dorsiflexion and plantar flexion). Specifically, the first reinforcementportion stretches in the top-to-bottom direction in response to thedorsiflexion, for example, during walking or running. Strain energy isaccumulated in the first reinforcement portion due to the stretch. Next,the plantar flexion following the dorsiflexion releases the strainenergy accumulated in the first reinforcement portion. Then, the firstreinforcement portion recovers to the non-stretched state. Such aconfiguration makes it easy for the Achilles tendon of the wearer's footto return to the original state particularly during the plantar flexion.Thus, in the sixth aspect, the stretchable portion and the firstreinforcement portion can appropriately assist, in particular, motionsof the Achilles tendon of the wearer's foot.

A seventh aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the fifth or sixthaspect. In the seventh aspect, the shoe upper further includes a secondreinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or innersurface of the stretchable portion and made of a stretchable material.The second reinforcement portion is arranged at a position on a medialside of the shoe upper body, the position being located below the firstportion and corresponding to a portion including an area from the medialmalleolus and the calcaneus to a transverse tarsal joint of the foot ofthe wearer.

According to the seventh aspect, the second reinforcement portion canassist, in particular, eversion of the wearer's ankle joint.Specifically, the second reinforcement portion stretches so as to becurved mainly in the top-to-bottom direction in response to theeversion. Strain energy is accumulated in the second reinforcementportion due to the stretch. Next, an attempt to return the ankle jointto the original state after the eversion allows the strain energyaccumulated in the second reinforcement portion to be released. Then,the second reinforcement portion recovers to the non-stretched state.Such a configuration makes it easy for the wearer's ankle joint toreturn to the original state particularly during eversion. Thus, in theseventh aspect, the stretchable portion and the second reinforcementportion can appropriately assist, in particular, eversion of thewearer's ankle joint.

An eighth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of thefifth to seventh aspects. In the eighth aspect, the shoe upper furtherincludes a third reinforcement portion provided on at least one of anouter or inner surface of the stretchable portion and made of astretchable material. The third reinforcement portion is arranged at aposition on a lateral side of the shoe upper body, the position beinglocated below the first portion and corresponding to a portion includingan area from the lateral malleolus and the calcaneus to a transversetarsal joint of the foot of the wearer.

According to the eighth aspect, the third reinforcement portion canassist, in particular, inversion of the wearer's ankle joint.Specifically, the third reinforcement portion stretches so as to becurved mainly in the top-to-bottom direction in response to theinversion. Strain energy is accumulated in the third reinforcementportion due to the stretch. Next, an attempt to return the ankle jointto the original state after the inversion allows the strain energyaccumulated in the third reinforcement portion to be released. Then, thethird reinforcement portion recovers to the non-stretched state. Such aconfiguration makes it easy for the wearer's ankle joint to return tothe original state particularly during inversion. Thus, in the eighthaspect, the stretchable portion and the third reinforcement portion canappropriately assist, in particular, inversion of the wearer's anklejoint.

A ninth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of the fifthto eighth aspects. In the ninth aspect, the stretchable portion has asubstantially tubular shape and includes a portion corresponding to thefirst portion, the portion corresponding to the first portion having aperimeter shorter than a perimeter of the ankle portion of the wearer.The stretchable portion is configured to extend in a circumferentialdirection from the non-stretched state, in a state in which the portionof the stretchable portion corresponding to the first portion is intight contact with the ankle portion of the wearer.

In the ninth aspect, the stretchable portion is configured to extend inthe circumferential direction from the non-stretched state, in a statein which the portion of the stretchable portion corresponding to thefirst portion is in tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion. Sucha configuration allows the portion of the stretchable portioncorresponding to the first portion to fit the wearer's ankle portion,and to be fixed at a position corresponding to the wearer's ankleportion. Due to this configuration, together with the effect of theanchor portion, the stretchable portion can be stably arranged at thepositions of the respective portions of the wearer's foot around thewearer's ankle joint.

A tenth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the ninth aspect. Inthe tenth aspect, the shoe upper body includes: an ankle openingconfigured as a portion of the first portion, the ankle opening beingopen upward from the second portion toward the first portion; an openingcontinuous with the ankle opening, the opening being like a linear cutformed in part of the shoe upper body and extending downward from thefirst portion; and an openable portion configured to close or open theopening.

According to the tenth aspect, even if the portion of the stretchableportion corresponding to the first portion is in tight contact with thewearer's ankle portion as in the fifth aspect, the opening can be openedthrough the openable portion, which allows the wearer to easily removethe shoe. Further, by closing the opening through the openable portion,the portion of the stretchable portion corresponding to the firstportion can be easily brought into tight contact with the wearer's ankleportion.

An eleventh aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the tenthaspect. In the eleventh aspect, the openable portion is configured as azipper arranged at a position of the shoe upper body, the positioncorresponding to a medial side of the foot of the wearer. A longdimension of the zipper extends, on the shoe upper body, from a portioncorresponding to a medial longitudinal arch of the foot of the wearerthrough a portion forward of a portion corresponding to the medialmalleolus toward the first portion.

According to the eleventh aspect, the long dimension of the zippermechanism extends, on the medial side of the shoe upper body, from aportion corresponding to the medial longitudinal arch of the wearer'sfoot through a portion forward of the portion corresponding to themedial malleolus toward the first portion. This prevents the zippermechanism from coming into direct contact with the medial malleolus ofthe wearer's foot. As a result, even if the zipper mechanism is used asthe openable portion, the wearer is less likely to feel pain in the footwhen the zipper mechanism is operated. The zipper mechanism, which islocated at a position corresponding to a portion where the range ofmotion of the wearer's ankle joint is relatively small, does not hinderthe wearer's ankle joint from making various motions.

A twelfth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the tenth oreleventh aspect. In the twelfth aspect, if a ground contact surface of aportion of the sole corresponding to the calcaneus of the wearer is usedas a horizontal reference surface, the stretchable portion has a portionextending from the second portion to the first portion along a directioninclined rearward with respect to a top-to-bottom directionperpendicular to the reference surface.

In, for example, sprinting and jumping events of athletic sports, arunning motion and a takeoff motion may be performed in which the soleof the shoe comes into contact with the ground while a toe portion of afoot of the wearer is being directed downward (i.e., in a posture inwhich the foot is in a plantar flexion position by the ankle joint).During such a running or takeoff motion, the ground contact surface of aportion of the sole of the shoe corresponding to the calcaneus of thewearer's foot does not come into contact with the ground, or even ifsaid ground contact surface comes into contact with the ground, an areawhere the ground contact surface is in contact with the ground isextremely small. In such a running or takeoff motion, to moreeffectively accumulate the strain energy resulting from dorsiflexion ofthe wearer's ankle joint in the stretchable portion, it is recommendedthat a plantar flexion state of the wearer's ankle joint be defined as areference position. Based on the foregoing background, the stretchableportion of the twelfth aspect has a portion extending from the secondportion to the first portion along a direction inclined rearward withrespect to the top-to-bottom direction perpendicular to the referencesurface. This configuration makes it possible to define the plantarflexion state of the wearer's ankle joint as the reference position.Thus, the strain energy resulting from dorsiflexion of the wearer'sankle joint can be more effectively accumulated in the stretchableportion. As a result, the twelfth aspect allows the wearer to make arunning or takeoff motion suitable for the sprinting and jumping eventsdescribed above.

A thirteenth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of thefirst to twelfth aspects. In the thirteenth aspect, the stretchableportion is configured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched stateto the stretched state as the foot of the wearer shifts from arearwardly inclined position to an erect position.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the stretchable portion isconfigured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched state to thestretched state as the wearer's foot shifts from its rearwardly inclinedposition to its erect position. Such a configuration causes thestretchable portion to produce strain energy as the ankle joint of thewearer's foot shifts from the position of plantar flexion to theposition of dorsiflexion. Then, the strain energy is accumulated in thestretchable portion. This mean that particularly a motion in which thewearer's ankle joint shifts from the position of plantar flexion to theposition of dorsiflexion can be appropriately assisted.

A fourteenth aspect of the invention is an embodiment of any one of thefirst to thirteenth aspects. In the fourteenth aspect, an inner surfaceof the stretchable portion is provided with a heel extension portioncovering a heel of the foot of the wearer and its surrounding area fromsides and behind, and in a cross-sectional view taken along a footlength direction, the heel extension portion protrudes rearward from aportion corresponding to a rear side of the heel of the foot of thewearer.

According to the fourteenth aspect, providing the heel extension portionon the inner surface of the stretchable portion relatively increases thelength of the stretchable portion in the foot length direction of thewearer's foot. As a result, the total area of the inner surface of thestretchable portion becomes relatively larger in the foot lengthdirection than in the case of the stretchable portion without the heelextension portion. In other words, in the configuration having the heelextension portion, the range where the stretchable portion stretches inthe foot length direction is relatively large. For this reason, when thestretchable portion deforms from its non-stretched state to itsstretched state, large strain energy tends to be accumulated in thestretchable portion. This can increase the supportability of thestretchable portion to assist the plantar flexion of the wearer's anklejoint.

Advantages of the Invention

As can be seen from the foregoing description, according to the presentinvention, various motions of the wearer's ankle joint can beappropriately assisted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a firstembodiment with a skeletal structure of a foot, as viewed from thelateral side.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the firstembodiment with the skeletal structure of the foot, as viewed from themedial side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the shoe according to thefirst embodiment, as viewed from behind.

FIG. 4 illustrates the shoe according to the first embodiment in asituation where a wearer's foot has shifted from its rearwardly inclinedposition to its erect position, and corresponds to FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a first variationof the first embodiment with a skeletal structure of a foot, as viewedfrom the lateral side.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the shoe according to thefirst variation of the first embodiment, as viewed from behind.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a secondvariation of the first embodiment with a skeletal structure of a foot,as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a shoe according to a secondembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the secondembodiment with a skeletal structure of a foot, as viewed from thelateral side.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the secondembodiment with the skeletal structure of the foot, as viewed from themedial side.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI shown in FIG.8.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII shown in FIG.8.

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a thirdembodiment, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the thirdembodiment, as viewed from the medial side.

FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a fourthembodiment, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the shoe according to the fourthembodiment, as viewed from the medial side.

FIG. 17 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional configuration of the shoeaccording to the fourth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11.

FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a fifthembodiment, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 19 is a side view schematically illustrating a state where ananchor portion illustrated in FIG. 18 is detached from a shoe upperbody.

FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating a shoe according to a sixthembodiment, as viewed from the lateral side.

FIG. 21 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional configuration of the shoeaccording to the sixth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the drawings. Note that the following description ofthe embodiments is a mere example in nature, and is not intended tolimit the scope, application, or uses of the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate an overall shoe 1 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. A pair of shoes 1 may be mainlyused, for example, as athletic shoes for running and various sports.Note that the pair of shoes 1 may be used as shoes for daily use, orrehabilitation shoes.

The drawings illustrate a left shoe 1 only as an example. Since theright shoe is symmetrical to the left shoe, only the left shoe will bedescribed in the following description, and the description of the rightshoe will be omitted herein.

In the following description, the expressions “above,” “upward,” “ona/the top of,” “below,” “under,” and “downward,” represent the verticalpositional relationship between respective components of the shoe 1. Theexpressions “front,” “fore,” “forward,” “anterior,” “rear,” “hind,”“behind,” “backward,” and “posterior” represent the positionalrelationship in the foot length direction between respective componentsof the shoe 1. The expressions “medial side” and “lateral side”represent the positional relationship in the foot width directionbetween respective components of the shoe 1.

(Sole)

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shoe 1 has a sole 2. In this embodiment,the sole 2 includes an outsole 3 and cleat portions 4, 4, . . .

The outsole 3 extends so as to correspond to an area from the forefootto hindfoot of a wearer's foot. The outsole 3 is a hard elastic memberhaving a relatively high hardness. A thermoplastic resin, such aspolyether block amide (PEBA) or polyamide, is suitable as the outsole 3.

In this embodiment, a ground contact surface of a portion of the sole 2corresponding, in position, to the calcaneus HL of the wearer's foot isdefined as a reference surface S horizontal to the ground or the roadsurface (see the dot-dash line in each of FIGS. 1 and 2).

(Shoe Upper)

Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shoe 1 has a shoe upper 10 thatcovers the wearer's foot.

(Shoe Upper Body)

The shoe upper 10 has a shoe upper body 11. The shoe upper body 11 isconfigured to cover an area from a toe portion of the wearer's foot toan ankle portion at least located above the medial malleolus MM and thelateral malleolus LM of the tibia and the fibula of a leg of the wearer(hereinafter referred to as the “ankle portion”).

(Ankle Opening)

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shoe upper body 11 includes an ankleopening 12. In a side view, the ankle opening 12 is positioned above aportion corresponding to a phantom line C connecting an upper portion ofthe calcaneus HL of the wearer's foot and upper portions of the medialmalleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the tibia and the fibulatogether. In this embodiment, the ankle opening 12 is positioned nearthe upper side of the portion corresponding to the phantom line C in aside view.

Here, the phantom line C is defined as a line connecting the upperportion of the calcaneus HL and upper portions of phantom circles (seethe character B shown in each of FIGS. 1 and 2) each having a radiuscorresponding to the distance from the center A of each of the medialmalleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM to a position that is about 2cm apart from the center A. The size of the circle B shown in each ofFIGS. 1 and 2 is determined with reference to the medial malleolus MMand the lateral malleolus LM of a foot of a typical adult male.

(Stretchable Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shoe upper body 11 includes a stretchableportion 15 and a non-stretchable portion 16. The stretchable portion 15is made of a stretchable material. Specifically, the stretchable portion15 is made of, for example, a stretchable textile material. On the otherhand, the non-stretchable portion 16 is made of a material that is lessstretchable than the stretchable portion 15. Specifically, the shoeupper body 11 is configured as, for example, a textile, such as aknitted fabric or a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a syntheticleather, an artificial leather, or a natural leather. In FIGS. 1 to 4, aregion where the stretchable portion 15 is positioned is marked andaccentuated with dot hatching.

The stretchable portion 15 forms a region of the shoe upper body 11including a portion corresponding to the center A of each of the medialmalleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot andincluding a position of the ankle opening 12. The stretchable portion 15continuously extends from a portion of the shoe upper body 11corresponding to the medial malleolus MM of the wearer's foot through aportion corresponding to the rear side of the heel HL of the foot to aportion corresponding to the lateral malleolus LM of the foot. On theother hand, the non-stretchable portion 16 forms a region of the shoeupper body 11 other than the stretchable portion 15. The stretchableportion 15 and the non-stretchable portion 16 are integrated together bysewing and any other process.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, while the wearer does not wear the shoe1 or while the wearer in a relaxed state wears the shoe 1, the ankleopening 12 opens rearward in the foot length direction (see FIG. 3), andthe stretchable portion 15 is in a non-stretched state. Specifically,the shoe upper body 11 is configured such that, while the wearer in therelaxed state wears the shoe 1, the ankle joint around the talocruraljoint of the wearer's foot (hereinafter simply referred to as the “anklejoint”) is in a position of plantar flexion.

The “position of plantar flexion” means a state where while the wearerin the relaxed state wears the shoe 1, the ankle portion of the wearer'sfoot extends along a direction inclined rearward within the range of 5°to 50° (see the angle θ shown in each of FIGS. 1 and 2) from aperpendicular top-to-bottom direction orthogonal to the referencesurface S of the sole 2 in one preferred embodiment.

The stretchable portion 15 is configured so as to be deformed from thenon-stretched state to a stretched state and elastically recover fromthe stretched state to the non-stretched state. Specifically, as shownin FIG. 4, the stretchable portion 15 is configured so as to be deformedfrom the non-stretched state to the stretched state as the wearer's footshifts from its rearwardly inclined position to its erect position.

Advantages of First Embodiment

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the stretchable portion15 forms a region of the shoe upper body 11 including a portioncorresponding to the center A of each of the medial malleolus MM and thelateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot and including a position ofthe ankle opening 12. In other words, the stretchable portion 15corresponds, in position, to the wearer's ankle joint. Thus, thestretchable portion 15 can stretch and recover in response to variousmotions of the wearer's ankle joint (e.g., dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, abduction, adduction, inversion, eversion, supination,pronation, and other motions).

The stretchable portion 15 is configured so as to be deformed from thenon-stretched state to the stretched state and elastically recover fromthe stretched state to the non-stretched state. Specifically, if thewearer's ankle joint moves in a predetermined direction, the stretchableportion 15 is deformed to stretch in the predetermined direction. Inother words, the stretchable portion 15 is deformed from thenon-stretched state to the stretched state. At this moment, strainenergy is accumulated in the stretchable portion 15 due to the stretch.Next, when the wearer's ankle joint that has moved in the predetermineddirection moves in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction,the strain energy accumulated in the stretchable portion 15 is released.This movement generates an elastic restoring force toward the oppositedirection in the stretchable portion 15. In other words, the stretchableportion 15 elastically recovers from the stretched state to thenon-stretched state. Such a configuration makes it easy for a foot ofthe wearer, in particular, for a foot of the wearer below the anklejoint, to return to the original state. As can be seen, the shoe 1according to the first embodiment can appropriately assist variousmotions of the wearer's ankle joint. In addition, the various motions ofthe wearer's ankle joint can be controlled and adapted particularly tomotions required for various athletic sports.

Thus, the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment can appropriatelyassist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint.

The ankle opening 12 of the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment ispositioned near the upper side of the portion corresponding to thephantom line C in a side view. Even if the stretchable portion 15occupies a minimal area as in this example, the stretchable portion 15can be arranged at a portion of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding toeach of the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM of thewearer's foot. Thus, the shoe 1 can appropriately assist various motionsof the wearer's ankle joint as described above.

For example, the shoe of Patent Document 1 described above is providedwith a member which is located above the medial malleolus and thelateral malleolus of the wearer's foot and which covers the wearer'sfoot (see the collar yoke 104 illustrated in FIG. 1 of Patent Document1). In contrast, the ankle opening 12 of the shoe 1 according to thefirst embodiment is positioned near the upper side of the portioncorresponding to the phantom line C in a side view. Thus, no membercovering the ankle is present above the medial malleolus MM and thelateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot. This configuration allows theshoe 1 according to the first embodiment to be lighter, and can providea higher degree of comfort, than the shoe of Patent Document 1.

The stretchable portion 15 continuously extends from a portion of theshoe upper body 11 corresponding to the medial malleolus MM of thewearer's foot through a portion corresponding to the rear side of theheel HL of the foot to a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolusLM of the foot. In other words, the stretchable portion 15 is configuredto cover a region corresponding to the wearer's ankle joint from thesides and behind. Such a configuration can appropriately assist variousmotions of the wearer's ankle joint.

The stretchable portion 15 is configured so as to be deformed from thenon-stretched state to the stretched state as the wearer's foot shiftsfrom its rearwardly inclined position to its erect position. Such aconfiguration causes the stretchable portion 15 to produce strain energyas the ankle joint of the wearer's foot shifts from the position ofplantar flexion to the position of dorsiflexion. Then, the strain energyis accumulated in the stretchable portion 15. This means that the shoe 1can appropriately assist mainly a motion in which the wearer's anklejoint shifts from the position of plantar flexion to the position ofdorsiflexion.

First Variation of First Embodiment

In a variation of the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment, as shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, the shoe upper 10 may further include a reinforcementportion 17 provided on at least one of the outer and inner surfaces ofthe stretchable portion 15. In the first variation, the reinforcementportion 17 provided on the inner surface of the stretchable portion 15is illustrated as an example.

In the first variation, the reinforcement portion 17 is configured as asheet, for example. The reinforcement portion 17 is made of astretchable material. Examples of suitable materials of thereinforcement portion 17 include a resin material, such as thermosettingpolyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and styrenic elastomer,a rubber material, and a stretchable textile material.

The reinforcement portion 17 is mainly positioned to correspond to theheel HL, the medial malleolus MM, and the lateral malleolus LM of thewearer's foot. In addition, the reinforcement portion 17, when viewedfrom the lateral side, separates into two branches that extend upward intwo different directions from a portion corresponding to the heel HL ofthe wearer's foot. Specifically, one of the two branches of thereinforcement portion 17 is disposed on a portion of the stretchableportion 15 near the ankle opening 12, and extends from the portioncorresponding to the heel HL of the wearer's foot toward a portioncorresponding to the lateral malleolus LM. The other branch of thereinforcement portion 17 is disposed on a portion of the non-stretchableportion 16 under the stretchable portion 15. The reinforcement portion17 is fixed to the inner surfaces of the stretchable portion 15 and thenon-stretchable portion 16 by a process, such as sewing, bonding with anadhesive, heat sealing, and impregnation. Although not illustrated, thereinforcement portion 17 viewed from the medial side, too, is configuredsimilarly to the above configuration.

In the shoe 1 according to the first variation as described above, thereinforcement portion 17 provided on the inner surface of thestretchable portion 15 can assist motions of the ankle joint of thewearer's foot (in particular, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion) togetherwith the stretchable portion 15. Further, since the reinforcementportion 17 is disposed on both of the stretchable portion 15 and thenon-stretchable portion 16, both of the stretchable portion 15 and thenon-stretchable portion 16 can be better fitted to, and more securelyhold, the wearer's foot (in particular, the heel HL, the medialmalleolus MM, and the lateral malleolus LM).

Second Variation of First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 continuously extendsfrom a portion corresponding to the medial malleolus MM of the wearer'sfoot through a portion corresponding to the rear side of the heel HL ofthe foot to a portion corresponding to the lateral malleolus LM of thefoot. However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example.

For example, as in a second variation shown in FIG. 7, two separatestretchable portions 15 may be respectively arranged at positionscorresponding to the medial malleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM ofthe wearer's foot without passing through a portion corresponding to therear side of the heel HL of the foot. Even in such a second variation,the stretchable portions 15 can be respectively arranged at portions ofthe shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the medial malleolus MM and thelateral malleolus LM of the wearer's foot. Thus, the shoe 1 according tothe second variation can also appropriately assist various motions ofthe wearer's ankle joint just like the first embodiment.

Note that the shoe upper 10 may have a tongue-shaped portion 9 and ashoelace 50, just like the shoe 1 of the second variation. A pluralityof linear reinforcement portions 18, 18, . . . may be provided on theouter surface of the stretchable portion 15.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 8 to 12 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention. The second embodiment differs from the firstembodiment in the configuration of the shoe upper 10. Note that theother configurations of the shoe 1 of the second embodiment are the sameas those of the shoe 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the samereference characters are used to designate the same elements as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, and detailed description thereof is omittedherein.

A shoe upper body 11 includes first to third portions 11 a to 11 c. Thefirst portion 11 a corresponds, in position, to an ankle portion of awearer. The second portion 11 b corresponds, in position, to thetalocrural joint of a foot of the wearer. The third portion 11 ccorresponds, in position, to the transverse tarsal joint (the so-calledChopart's joint) of the wearer's foot.

(Ankle Opening)

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the shoe upper body 11 includes an ankleopening 12. In this embodiment, the ankle opening 12 is arranged at thefirst portion 11 a of the shoe upper body 11. The ankle opening 12 opensupward from the second portion 11 b toward the first portion 11 a. Notethat the ankle opening 12 may be disposed above the first portion 11 aof the shoe upper body 11.

(Opening)

The shoe upper body 11 includes an opening 13. The opening 13 isintended to increase the opening area of the ankle opening 12. Theopening 13 is continuous with the ankle opening 12. The opening 13 isarranged at a position of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to themedial side of the wearer's foot. The opening 13 is like a linear cutformed in part of the shoe upper body 11 and extending downward from thefirst portion 11 a. Specifically, a long dimension of the opening 13extends from a portion corresponding to the medial longitudinal arch ofthe wearer's foot, through a portion forward of a portion correspondingto the medial malleolus MM, toward the first portion 11 a.

In general, the medial longitudinal arch corresponds to a portion(so-called plantar arch) of the wearer's foot including the great toemetatarsal MT1, the medial cuneiform bone CM, the navicular bone NB, thetalus TB, and the calcaneus HL (see FIG. 10).

(Openable Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the shoe upper body 11 includes an openableportion 14. The openable portion 14 is intended to close or open theopening 13. In this embodiment, the openable portion 14 is configured asa zipper mechanism.

The zipper mechanism includes a pair of elements 14 a and 14 a, and aslider 14 b. The elements 14 a and 14 a are arranged in the opening 13so as to face each other. The slider 14 b is operable such that slidingof the slider 14 b allows the elements 14 a and 14 a to approach eachother and to be separated from each other.

The zipper mechanism is arranged at a position of the shoe upper body 11corresponding to the medial side of the wearer's foot. Along dimensionof the zipper mechanism extends, on a shoe upper body 11, from theportion corresponding to the medial longitudinal arch of the wearer'sfoot through the portion forward of the portion corresponding to themedial malleolus MM toward the first portion 11 a.

(Anchor Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the shoe upper 10 has an anchor portion 20.Examples of suitable materials of the anchor portion 20 include a resinmaterial, such as thermosetting polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU), and styrenic elastomer, a rubber material, and a stretchabletextile material.

The anchor portion 20 is configured as a sheet, for example. The anchorportion 20 is disposed on the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11.The anchor portion 20 is fixed to the inner surface of the shoe upperbody 11 by a process, such as sewing, bonding with an adhesive, heatsealing, and impregnation.

The anchor portion 20 is arranged at a portion that includes the firstportion 11 a of the shoe upper body 11. In other words, the anchorportion 20 is arranged at a portion of the shoe upper body 11 (thestretchable portion 15 to be described below) corresponding to thewearer's ankle portion. In a state in which the wearer wears the shoe 1and the opening 13 is closed through the openable portion 14, the anchorportion 20 is wrapped around the wearer's ankle portion. In other words,the anchor portion 20 is configured to align the first portion 11 a ofthe shoe upper body 11 with the wearer's ankle portion in the state inwhich the wearer wears the shoe 1.

(First Reinforcement Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the shoe upper 10 has a first reinforcementportion 21. The first reinforcement portion 21 is made of a stretchablematerial. Specifically, examples of suitable materials of the firstreinforcement portion 21 include a resin material, such as thermosettingpolyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and styrenic elastomer,a rubber material, and a stretchable textile material. Note that thefirst reinforcement portion 21 may be made of the same material as theanchor portion 20, or may be made of a material different from thematerial of the anchor portion 20.

The first reinforcement portion 21 is configured as a sheet, forexample. The first reinforcement portion 21 is disposed on the innersurface of the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15 to bedescribed below). Specifically, the first reinforcement portion 21 isfixed to the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchableportion 15 to be described below) by a process, such as sewing, bondingwith an adhesive, heat sealing, and impregnation.

The first reinforcement portion 21 may be disposed below the firstportion 11 a of the shoe upper body 11. The first reinforcement portion21 is arranged on the shoe upper body 11 so as to correspond to a regionof the wearer's foot behind the medial malleolus MM and the lateralmalleolus LM. Specifically, the first reinforcement portion 21 isarranged on the shoe upper body 11 so as to correspond to a portion ofthe wearer's foot including an area from a rear end portion of thecalcaneus HL located behind the medial malleolus MM and the lateralmalleolus LM to the Achilles tendon (not shown).

(Second and Third Reinforcement Portions)

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the shoe upper 10 has second and thirdreinforcement portions 22 and 23. Just like the first reinforcementportion 21, the second and third reinforcement portions 22 and 23 aremade of a stretchable material, and are configured as sheets, forexample. Just like the first reinforcement portion 21, the second andthird reinforcement portions 22 and 23 are disposed on the inner surfaceof the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15 to be describedbelow).

The second reinforcement portion 22 is disposed below the first portion11 a on the medial side of the shoe upper body 11. The secondreinforcement portion 22 is arranged so as to correspond to a portion ofthe wearer's foot including an area from the medial malleolus MM andcalcaneus HL to the transverse tarsal joint.

The third reinforcement portion 23 is disposed below the first portion11 a on the lateral side of the shoe upper body 11. The thirdreinforcement portion 23 is arranged so as to correspond, on the lateralside of the shoe upper body 11, to a portion of the wearer's footincluding an area from the lateral malleolus LM and calcaneus HL to thetransverse tarsal joint.

(Stretchable Portion)

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, the stretchable portion 15 is configured tocover an area including the wearer's ankle joint. Specifically, thestretchable portion 15 of the second embodiment forms a region of theshoe upper body 11 corresponding to the ankle joint. On the other hand,the non-stretchable portion 16 forms a region of the shoe upper body 11other than the region corresponding to the ankle joint.

The region corresponding to the ankle joint includes a region of theshoe upper body 11 corresponding to the calcaneus HL and talus TB of thewearer's foot and extending from the first portion 11 a through thesecond portion 11 b to the third portion 11 c. In other words, the shoeupper body 11 is configured such that the stretchable portion 15flexibly follows the movements of some of joints of the wearer's footlocated in the region corresponding to the ankle joint.

The stretchable portion 15 has a substantially tubular shape, andincludes a portion corresponding to the first portion 11 a. The portioncorresponding to the first portion 11 a has a perimeter shorter than theperimeter of the wearer's ankle portion. The stretchable portion 15 isconfigured to extend in the circumferential direction from thenon-stretched state, in a state in which a portion corresponding to thefirst portion 11 a is in tight contact with the wearer's ankle portion.Specifically, in one preferred embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 isconfigured to stretch by at least 3% from the non-stretched state, in astate in which the shoe 1 is worn by the wearer and the portioncorresponding to the first portion 11 a is in tight contact with thewearer's ankle portion.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the stretchable portion 15 has a portionextending from the second portion 11 b to the first portion 11 a along adirection inclined rearward with respect to the top-to-bottom directionperpendicular to the reference surface S of the sole 2. In other words,the shoe upper body 11 is configured such that in the state in which thewearer wears the shoe 1, the wearer's ankle joint is in a position ofplantar flexion.

If a foot of the human body undergoes plantar flexion, the foot istypically inclined rearward within a range of 5° to 50° with respect tothe longitudinal direction (i.e., the perpendicular top-to-bottomdirection) of the fibula and tibia of the leg in a neutral positionduring usual contact with the ground. As can be seen from the foregoingdescription, in one preferred embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 hasa portion extending from the second portion 11 b to the first portion 11a along a direction inclined rearward within the range of 5° to 50° withrespect to the perpendicular top-to-bottom direction (see the angle θshown in FIG. 9).

In a state in which the anchor portion 20 aligns the first portion 11 aof the shoe upper body 11 with the wearer's ankle portion, thestretchable portion 15 is configured to be deformed from thenon-stretched state to the stretched state in the region correspondingto the ankle joint and elastically recover from the stretched state tothe non-stretched state.

Advantages of Second Embodiment

As described above, the stretchable portion 15 of the shoe 1 accordingto the second embodiment is made of the stretchable material, and formsthe region of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the ankle joint.In other words, the stretchable portion 15 is configured to cover theentire ankle joint of the wearer. According to such a configuration, thestretchable portion 15 stretches and recovers in response to variousmotions of the wearer's ankle joint (e.g., dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, abduction, adduction, inversion, eversion, supination,pronation, and other motions).

The anchor portion 20 is configured to align the first portion 11 a ofthe shoe upper body 11 with the wearer's ankle portion. With such aconfiguration, in particular, the stretchable portion 15 arranged at aposition of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the ankle joint canbe appropriately fitted to respective portions of the wearer's footaround the wearer's ankle joint. In other words, the anchor portion 20allows the stretchable portion 15 to be stably arranged at positions ofrespective portions of the wearer's foot around the ankle joint.

In a state in which the anchor portion 20 aligns the first portion 11 aof the shoe upper body 11 with the wearer's ankle portion, thestretchable portion 15 is configured to be deformed from thenon-stretched state to the stretched state and elastically recover fromthe stretched state to the non-stretched state. Specifically, if thewearer's ankle joint moves in a predetermined direction, the stretchableportion 15 is deformed to stretch in the predetermined direction. Inother words, the stretchable portion 15 is deformed from thenon-stretched state to the stretched state. At this moment, strainenergy is accumulated in the stretchable portion 15 due to the stretch.Next, when the wearer's ankle joint that has moved in the predetermineddirection moves in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction,the strain energy accumulated in the stretchable portion 15 is released.This causes the stretchable portion 15 to produce an elastic restoringforce from the position of the anchor portion 20 (the first portion 11a) in the opposite direction. In other words, the stretchable portion 15elastically recovers from the stretched state to the non-stretchedstate. Such a configuration makes it easy for a foot of the wearer, inparticular, for a foot of the wearer below the ankle joint, to return tothe original state. As described above, the shoe 1 according to thesecond embodiment can appropriately assist various motions of thewearer's ankle joint. In addition, the various motions of the wearer'sankle joint can be controlled and adapted particularly to motionsrequired for various athletic sports.

Thus, the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment can appropriatelyassist various motions of the wearer's ankle joint.

The shoe of Patent Document 1 described above is configured such thatthe elastic zone and the rotation zone turn near the ankle opening.Thus, stress tends to be concentrated, in particular, near the ankleopening. This causes the shoe to be easily damaged. The elastic androtation zones of the shoe of Patent document 1 described above arerelatively elongated. This complicates the production of the shoeitself, and reduces the production efficiency. In contrast, the shoe 1according to the second embodiment has the stretchable portion 15forming the region of the shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the anklejoint. Thus, stress is less likely to be concentrated near the ankleopening 12, and the shoe 1 is less likely to be damaged. In addition,the shoe 1 itself can be easily produced, thus improving the productionefficiency.

In the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment, the firstreinforcement portion 21 can assist, in particular, motions of theAchilles tendon located behind the medial malleolus MM and the lateralmalleolus LM of the wearer's foot (i.e., dorsiflexion and plantarflexion). Specifically, the first reinforcement portion 21 stretches inthe top-to-bottom direction in response to the dorsiflexion. Strainenergy is accumulated in the first reinforcement portion 21 due to thestretch. Next, the plantar flexion following the dorsiflexion releasesthe strain energy accumulated in the first reinforcement portion 21.Then, the first reinforcement portion 21 recovers to the non-stretchedstate. Such a configuration makes it easy, in particular, for theAchilles tendon of the wearer's foot undergoing plantar flexion to bereturned to the original state. Thus, the stretchable portion 15 and thefirst reinforcement portion 21 can appropriately assist, in particular,motions of the Achilles tendon of the wearer's foot.

The second reinforcement portion 22 of the shoe 1 according to thesecond embodiment can assist, in particular, eversion of the wearer'sankle joint. Specifically, the second reinforcement portion 22 stretchesso as to be curved mainly in the top-to-bottom direction in response tothe eversion. Strain energy is accumulated in the second reinforcementportion 22 due to the stretch. Next, an attempt to return the anklejoint to the original state after the eversion allows the strain energyaccumulated in the second reinforcement portion 22 to be released. Then,the second reinforcement portion 22 recovers to the non-stretched state.Such a configuration makes it easy, in particular, for the wearer'sankle joint undergoing eversion to be returned to the original state.Thus, the stretchable portion 15 and the second reinforcement portion 22can appropriately assist, in particular, eversion of the wearer's anklejoint.

The third reinforcement portion 23 of the shoe 1 according to the secondembodiment can assist, in particular, inversion of the wearer's anklejoint. Specifically, the third reinforcement portion 23 stretches so asto be curved mainly in the top-to-bottom direction in response to theinversion. Strain energy is accumulated in the third reinforcementportion 23 due to the stretch. Next, an attempt to return the anklejoint to the original state after the inversion allows the strain energyaccumulated in the third reinforcement portion 23 to be released. Then,the third reinforcement portion 23 recovers to the non-stretched state.Such a configuration makes it easy, in particular, for the wearer'sankle joint undergoing inversion to be returned to the original state.Thus, the stretchable portion 15 and the third reinforcement portion 23can appropriately assist, in particular, inversion of the wearer's anklejoint.

The stretchable portion 15 is configured to extend in thecircumferential direction from the non-stretched state, in a state inwhich the portion corresponding to the first portion 11 a is in tightcontact with the wearer's ankle portion. Such a configuration allows theportion of the stretchable portion 15 corresponding to the first portion11 a to fit the wearer's ankle portion, and to be fixed at a positioncorresponding to the wearer's ankle portion. Due to this configuration,together with the effect of the anchor portion 20, the stretchableportion 15 can be stably arranged at the positions of the respectiveportions of the wearer's foot around the wearer's ankle joint.

In the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment, even if the portion ofthe stretchable portion 15 corresponding to the first portion 11 a is intight contact with the wearer's ankle portion, the opening 13 can beopened through the openable portion 14, which allows the wearer toeasily remove the shoe 1. Further, by closing the opening 13 through theopenable portion 14, the portion of the stretchable portion 15corresponding to the first portion 11 a can be easily brought into tightcontact with the wearer's ankle portion.

The long dimension of the zipper mechanism extends, on the medial sideof the shoe upper body 11, from a portion corresponding to the mediallongitudinal arch of the wearer's foot through a portion forward of theportion corresponding to the medial malleolus MM toward the firstportion 11 a. This prevents the zipper mechanism from coming into directcontact with the medial malleolus MM of the wearer's foot. As a result,even if the zipper mechanism is used as the openable portion 14, thewearer is less likely to feel pain in the foot when the zipper mechanismis operated. The zipper mechanism, which is located at a positioncorresponding to a portion where the range of motion of the wearer'sankle joint is relatively small, does not hinder the wearer's anklejoint from making various motions.

In, for example, sprinting and jumping events of athletic sports, arunning motion and a takeoff motion may be performed in which the sole 2of the shoe 1 comes into contact with the ground while a toe portion ofa foot of the wearer is being directed downward (i.e., in a posture inwhich the foot is in a plantar flexion position by the ankle joint).During such a running or takeoff motion, the ground contact surface of aportion of the sole 2 of the shoe 1 corresponding to the calcaneus HL ofthe wearer's foot does not come into contact with the ground, or even ifsaid ground contact surface comes into contact with the ground, an areawhere the ground contact surface is in contact with the ground isextremely small. In such a running or takeoff motion, to moreeffectively accumulate the strain energy resulting from dorsiflexion ofthe wearer's ankle joint in the stretchable portion 15, it isrecommended that a plantar flexion state of the wearer's ankle joint bedefined as a reference position.

Based on the foregoing background, the stretchable portion 15 of theshoe 1 according to the second embodiment has a portion extending fromthe second portion 11 b to the first portion 11 a along a directioninclined rearward with respect to the top-to-bottom directionperpendicular to the reference surface S. This configuration makes itpossible to define the plantar flexion state of the wearer's ankle jointas the reference position. Thus, the strain energy resulting fromdorsiflexion of the wearer's ankle joint can be more effectivelyaccumulated in the stretchable portion 15. As a result, the shoe 1according to the second embodiment allows the wearer to make a runningor takeoff motion suitable for the sprinting and jumping eventsdescribed above.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention. The third embodiment differs from the secondembodiment in part of the configuration of the shoe upper 10. Note thatthe other configurations of the shoe 1 of the third embodiment are thesame as those of the shoe 1 of the second embodiment. Therefore, thesame reference characters are used to designate the same elements asthose illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, and detailed description thereof isomitted herein.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the entire outer surface of the shoe upperbody 11 is provided with a first outer reinforcement portion 31. Thefirst outer reinforcement portion 31 is made of, for example,polyurethane, and is stacked on the outer surface of the shoe upper body11 by impregnation or any other process. The first outer reinforcementportion 31 is configured to have a honeycomb structure including aplurality of hexagonal portions arranged with no gaps therebetween.

The first outer reinforcement portion 31 of the shoe 1 according to thethird embodiment can increase the durability of the shoe upper body 11.The first outer reinforcement portion 31 is positioned to include, onthe shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15), portions that facethe anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21to 23. This can further increase the benefits of the anchor portion 20and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 described in thesecond embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 15 to 17 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention. The fourth embodiment differs from the secondembodiment in the configuration of the shoe upper 10. Note that theother configurations of the shoe 1 of the fourth embodiment are the sameas those of the shoe 1 of the second embodiment. Therefore, the samereference characters are used to designate the same elements as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, and detailed description thereof isomitted herein.

In the second embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 forms a region ofthe shoe upper body 11 corresponding to the ankle joint. However, thisconfiguration is merely a non-limiting example. In other words, as inthe third embodiment, the stretchable portion 15 may be arranged in theentire shoe upper body 11 including the region corresponding to theankle joint. Even the stretchable portion 15 arranged in this manner mayprovide benefits similar to those of the stretchable portion 15described in the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the shoeupper body 11 corresponds to the stretchable portion 15. Thus, unlikethe second embodiment, a dot-hatched region is omitted from FIGS. 15 to17.

As shown in FIG. 17, the inner surface of the shoe upper body 11 of theshoe 1 according to the fourth embodiment is provided with an innerreinforcement portion 40. The inner reinforcement portion 40 is made of,for example, polyurethane, and is configured as a sheet. The innerreinforcement portion 40 is stacked on the inner surface of the shoeupper body 11 by impregnation, for example. The inner reinforcementportion 40 includes a plurality of belt-like portions intersecting eachother in the foot length direction and the top-to-bottom direction. Theinner reinforcement portion 40 may be configured not only as a sheet,but also as a solid structure, a foam, a film, a printed material, orany other object.

The inner reinforcement portion 40 can increase the durability of theshoe upper body 11. The inner reinforcement portion 40 is arranged so asto correspond, on the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15),to portions that face the anchor portion 20 and the first to thirdreinforcement portions 21 to 23 of the first embodiment. Thus, benefitssimilar to those of the anchor portion 20 and the first to thirdreinforcement portions 21 to 23 described in the second embodiment canbe obtained.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the outer surface of the shoeupper body 11 of the shoe 1 according to the fourth embodiment isprovided with second and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33.The second and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33 are made of,for example, polyurethane, and are configured as solid structures. Thesecond and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33 are stacked onthe outer surface of the shoe upper body 11 by impregnation, forexample. The second outer reinforcement portion 32 includes a pluralityof needle-like portions spaced apart from each other in the foot lengthdirection. The third outer reinforcement portion 33 has a substantialbelt shape extending in the foot length direction. The second and thirdouter reinforcement portions 32 and 33 may be configured not only as thesolid structures, but also as sheets, foams, films, printed materials,or any other objects.

The second and third outer reinforcement portions 32 and 33 can increasethe durability of the shoe upper body 11. The second and third outerreinforcement portions 32 and 33 are positioned on the outer surface ofthe shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15) so as to face thefirst to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 described in the secondembodiment. This can further increase the benefits of the innerreinforcement portion 40. Specifically, an appropriate combination ofthe reinforcement portions as in the shoe 1 according to the fourthembodiment can more effectively assist various motions of the wearer'sankle joint.

Fifth Embodiment

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a fifth embodiment ofthe present invention. The fifth embodiment differs from the secondembodiment in the configuration of the shoe upper 10. Note that theother configurations of the shoe 1 of the fifth embodiment are the sameas those of the shoe 1 of the second embodiment. Therefore, the samereference characters are used to designate the same elements as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, and detailed description thereof isomitted herein. The shoe 1 according to the fifth embodiment does nothave the opening 13 and the openable portion 14 described in the secondembodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a shoe upper 10 according to the fifthembodiment includes a shoelace 50, an eyelet reinforcement 51, andsupports 52, 52, . . .

The eyelet reinforcement 51 is provided on the outer surface of a shoeupper body 11. The eyelet reinforcement 51 is disposed on the front sideof a third portion 11 c of the shoe upper body 11. The eyeletreinforcement 51 has a plurality of holes for passing the shoelace 50therethrough.

The supports 52, 52, . . . are provided on the outer surface of the shoeupper body 11. Each support 52 extends upward from a peripheral portionof the sole 2. The supports 52, 52, . . . are spaced apart from oneanother in the foot length direction. Although not shown, each support52 is formed in the shape of a substantial ring as viewed from thefront, and allows the shoelace 50 to pass therethrough.

The shoelace 50 is configured to tighten the shoe upper body 11 whilebeing passed through the supports 52 and the holes of the eyeletreinforcement 51. Such a configuration allows the shoe upper body 11 tofit the wearer's foot to conform to the shape of the wearer's foot.

The anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21to 23 of the shoe 1 according to the fifth embodiment are provided onthe outer surface of the shoe upper body 11.

The anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21to 23 are integrated together, and are configured as sheets. The anchorportion 20 and the first to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 may beconfigured as solid structures, foams, films, printed materials, or anyother objects.

The anchor portion 20 and an upper portion of the first reinforcementportion 21 are unfixed to the outer surface of the shoe upper body 11. Alower portion of the first reinforcement portion 21 is fixed to theouter surface of the shoe upper body 11. The second and thirdreinforcement portions 22 and 23 are fixed to the outer surface of theshoe upper body 11. Although not illustrated, the second reinforcementportion 22 has substantially the same configuration as the thirdreinforcement portion 23 illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19.

The anchor portion 20 of the fifth embodiment has a substantiallybelt-like shape. At a position corresponding to the boundary between theanchor portion 20 and the first reinforcement portion 21 (see the chaindouble-dashed line shown in FIGS. 18 and 19), the anchor portion 20 hasa rear end portion that is continuous with a front end portion of thefirst reinforcement portion 21.

The anchor portion 20 is configured to be attachable to and detachablefrom the shoe upper body 11 (the stretchable portion 15). Specifically,a first engaging portion 20 a that constitutes a hook-and-loop fasteneris fixed to a portion of the shoe upper body 11 including the firstportion 11 a. A second engaging portion 20 b that constitutes ahook-and-loop fastener is fixed to the back surface of the anchorportion 20.

The first and second engaging portions 20 a and 20 b engaging with eachother allow the anchor portion 20 to be attached to the shoe upper body11 (the stretchable portion 15) (see the arrow shown in FIG. 19).Changing the position at which the first and second engaging portions 20a and 20 b engage with each other makes it possible to adjust thetightening force of the anchor portion 20 at the first portion 11 a ofthe shoe upper body 11.

As can be seen, just like the shoe 1 according to the second embodiment,the shoe 1 according to the fifth embodiment, too, can stably fix theposition of the stretchable portion 15 to the positions corresponding torespective portions of the wearer's foot around the wearer's anklejoint, using the anchor portion 20.

Sixth Embodiment

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a shoe 1 according to a sixth embodiment ofthe present invention. The sixth embodiment differs from the secondembodiment in that another member is provided for the inner surface ofthe stretchable portion 15. Note that the other configurations of theshoe 1 of the sixth embodiment are the same as those of the shoe 1 ofthe second embodiment. Therefore, the same reference characters are usedto designate the same elements as those illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12,and detailed description thereof is omitted herein. The shoe 1 accordingto the sixth embodiment does not have the opening 13 and the openableportion 14 described in the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, the inner surface of the stretchable portion 15 isprovided with a heel extension portion 60 covering the heel HL of thewearer's foot and its surrounding area from the sides (the medial sideand the lateral side) and behind. As shown in FIG. 21, in across-sectional view taken along the foot length direction, the heelextension portion 60 protrudes rearward from a portion corresponding tothe rear side of the heel HL of the wearer's foot. Specifically, in thecross-sectional view, the distance (thickness) from a surface of theheel extension portion 60 facing the heel HL of the wearer's foot to asurface thereof facing the inner surface of the stretchable portion ispreferably 5 mm or more. The distance is more preferably 10 mm or more.

Providing the heel extension portion 60 on the inner surface of thestretchable portion 15 as described above relatively increases thelength of the stretchable portion 15 in the foot length direction of thewearer's foot. As a result, the total area of the inner surface of thestretchable portion 15 becomes relatively larger in the foot lengthdirection than in the case of the stretchable portion 15 without theheel extension portion 60. In other words, in the configuration havingthe heel extension portion 60, the range where the stretchable portion15 stretches in the foot length direction is relatively large. For thisreason, when the stretchable portion 15 deforms from its non-stretchedstate to its stretched state, large strain energy tends to beaccumulated in the stretchable portion 15. Thus, the shoe 1 according tothe sixth embodiment can increase the supportability of the stretchableportion 15 to assist the plantar flexion of the wearer's ankle joint.

This embodiment describes the shoe upper body 11 without a counter (notshown) for protecting the heel HL of the wearer's foot. In the case ofproviding the counter, the heel extension portion 60 integrated with thecounter may be provided on the inner surface of the stretchable portion15.

Other Embodiments

In the first embodiment described above, the sole 2 includes the outsole3 and the cleat portions 4, 4, . . . However, this configuration ismerely a non-limiting example. For example, the cleat portions 4, 4, . .. may be omitted, and a midsole (not shown) may be stacked above theoutsole 3. This statement applies to the second to sixth embodiments, aswell.

In the second embodiment described above, a zipper mechanism is used asthe openable portion 14. However, this configuration is merely anon-limiting example. Instead of the zipper mechanism, a shoelace (notshown), for example, may be used as the openable portion 14. In the caseof using a shoelace as the openable portion 14, the shoelace may bearranged at a position other than the position of the zipper mechanismdescribed in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment described above, the stretchable portion 15 hasa portion extending from the second portion 11 b to the first portion 11a along a direction inclined rearward with respect to a top-to-bottomdirection perpendicular to the reference surface S. However, thisconfiguration is merely a non-limiting example. For example, if the shoe1 according to the second embodiment is not used for the above-describedsprinting or jumping event, the stretchable portion 15 does not need tobe configured as described in the second embodiment. In other words, thestretchable portion 15 may have a portion extending from the secondportion 11 b to the first portion 11 a along the top-to-bottom directionperpendicular to the reference surface S.

In the second embodiment described above, the anchor portion 20 and thefirst to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 are configured as sheets.However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example. Forexample, the anchor portion 20 and the first to third reinforcementportions 21 to 23 may be configured as solid structures, foams, films,printed materials, or any other objects. This statement applies to thethird embodiment, as well.

In the second embodiment described above, the anchor portion 20 and thefirst to third reinforcement portions 21 to 23 are separate from oneanother. However, this configuration is merely a non-limiting example.In other words, the anchor portion 20 and the first to thirdreinforcement portions 21 to 23 may be integrated together. Thisstatement applies to the third embodiment, as well.

The second embodiment describes the shoe upper body 11 without a counterfor protecting the heel HL of the wearer's foot. In the case ofproviding the counter (not shown), the stretchable portion 15 ispreferably arranged so as to avoid the position where the counter isprovided.

Although not specifically illustrated in the first to sixth embodiments,a seam of the shoe upper body 11 may be arranged at a rear end portionof the shoe upper body 11.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed above, and various changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is industrially applicable to, for example,athletic shoes for running and various sports, sneakers for daily use,and rehabilitation shoes.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

1 Shoe

2 Sole

10 Shoe Upper

11 Shoe Upper Body

11 a First Portion

11 b Second Portion

11 c Third Portion

12 Ankle Opening

13 Opening

14 Openable Portion

15 Stretchable Portion

16 Non-stretchable Portion

17, 18 Reinforcement Portion

20 Anchor Portion

21 First Reinforcement Portion

22 Second Reinforcement Portion

23 Third Reinforcement Portion

31 First Outer Reinforcement Portion

32 Second Outer Reinforcement Portion

33 Third Outer Reinforcement Portion

40 Inner Reinforcement Portion

50 Shoelace

51 Eyelet Reinforcement

52 Support

60 Heel Extension Portion

S Reference Surface

MM Medial Malleolus

LM Lateral Malleolus

TB Talus

HL Calcaneus

1. A shoe comprising: a sole; and a shoe upper, the shoe upper includinga shoe upper body, the shoe upper body including: an ankle openingthrough which a foot of a wearer of the shoe is inserted into the shoe;and a stretchable portion made of a stretchable material, in a sideview, the ankle opening being positioned above a portion correspondingto a phantom line connecting an upper portion of a calcaneus of the footof the wearer and upper portions of a medial malleolus and a lateralmalleolus of a tibia and a fibula together, the stretchable portionforming a region of the shoe upper body including a portioncorresponding to a center of each of the medial malleolus and thelateral malleolus of the foot of the wearer and including a position ofthe ankle opening, and the stretchable portion being configured so as tobe deformed from a non-stretched state to a stretched state andelastically recover from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the ankle opening is positioned near anupper side of the portion corresponding to the phantom line in the sideview.
 3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the stretchable portioncontinuously extends from a portion corresponding to the medialmalleolus of the foot of the wearer through a portion corresponding to arear side of a heel of the foot to a portion corresponding to thelateral malleolus of the foot.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoeupper further includes a reinforcement portion provided on at least oneof an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion.
 5. The shoe ofclaim 1, wherein the shoe upper further includes an anchor portionarranged at a position corresponding to a portion of the foot of thewearer including an ankle portion above the medial malleolus and thelateral malleolus, the shoe upper body is configured to cover an areafrom a toe portion of the foot of the wearer to the ankle portion, theshoe upper body includes: a first portion corresponding, in position, tothe ankle portion of the foot of the wearer; a second portioncorresponding, in position, to a talocrural joint of the foot of thewearer; and a third portion corresponding, in position, to a transversetarsal joint of the foot of the wearer, the anchor portion is configuredto align the first portion of the shoe upper body with the ankle portionof the wearer, the stretchable portion is arranged at a position of theshoe upper body, the position including a region corresponding to thecalcaneus and a talus of the foot of the wearer and including a regioncorresponding to an ankle joint and extending from the first portionthrough the second portion to the third portion, and in a state in whichthe anchor portion aligns the first portion of the shoe upper body withthe ankle portion of the wearer, the stretchable portion is deformedfrom the non-stretched state to the stretched state and elasticallyrecovers from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.
 6. Theshoe of claim 5, wherein the shoe upper further includes a firstreinforcement portion provided on at least one of an outer or innersurface of the stretchable portion and made of a stretchable material,and the first reinforcement portion is arranged at a position of theshoe upper body, the position being located below the first portion andcorresponding to a region behind the medial malleolus and the lateralmalleolus of the foot of the wearer.
 7. The shoe of claim 5, wherein theshoe upper further includes a second reinforcement portion provided onat least one of an outer or inner surface of the stretchable portion andmade of a stretchable material, and the second reinforcement portion isarranged at a position on a medial side of the shoe upper body, theposition being located below the first portion and corresponding to aportion including an area from the medial malleolus and the calcaneus toa transverse tarsal joint of the foot of the wearer.
 8. The shoe ofclaim 5, wherein the shoe upper further includes a third reinforcementportion provided on at least one of an outer or inner surface of thestretchable portion and made of a stretchable material, and the thirdreinforcement portion is arranged at a position on a lateral side of theshoe upper body, the position being located below the first portion andcorresponding to a portion including an area from the lateral malleolusand the calcaneus to a transverse tarsal joint of the foot of thewearer.
 9. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the stretchable portion has asubstantially tubular shape and includes a portion corresponding to thefirst portion, the portion corresponding to the first portion having aperimeter shorter than a perimeter of the ankle portion of the wearer,and the stretchable portion is configured to extend in a circumferentialdirection from the non-stretched state, in a state in which the portionof the stretchable portion corresponding to the first portion is intight contact with the ankle portion of the wearer.
 10. The shoe ofclaim 9, wherein the shoe upper body includes: an ankle openingconfigured as a portion of the first portion, the ankle opening beingopen upward from the second portion toward the first portion; an openingcontinuous with the ankle opening, the opening being like a linear cutformed in part of the shoe upper body and extending downward from thefirst portion; and an openable portion configured to close or open theopening.
 11. The shoe of claim 10, wherein the openable portion isconfigured as a zipper arranged at a position of the shoe upper body,the position corresponding to a medial side of the foot of the wearer,and a long dimension of the zipper extends, on the shoe upper body, froma portion corresponding to a medial longitudinal arch of the foot of thewearer through a portion forward of a portion corresponding to themedial malleolus toward the first portion.
 12. The shoe of claim 10,wherein if a ground contact surface of a portion of the solecorresponding to the calcaneus of the wearer is used as a horizontalreference surface, the stretchable portion has a portion extending fromthe second portion to the first portion along a direction inclinedrearward with respect to a top-to-bottom direction perpendicular to thereference surface.
 13. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the stretchableportion is configured so as to be deformed from the non-stretched stateto the stretched state as the foot of the wearer shifts from arearwardly inclined position to an erect position.
 14. The shoe of claim5, wherein an inner surface of the stretchable portion is provided witha heel extension portion covering a heel of the foot of the wearer andits surrounding area from sides and behind, and in a cross-sectionalview taken along a foot length direction, the heel extension portionprotrudes rearward from a portion corresponding to a rear side of theheel of the foot of the wearer.